HealthCare.gov blog

Now that you’ve found a doctor and had your first visit, you may be wondering what to do next. It’s important to follow through with your doctor’s recommendations.

Are you ready for the next Health Insurance Marketplace^® Open Enrollment Period? Open Enrollment is the time when you can apply for a new Marketplace plan, keep your current plan, or pick a new one.

Your health and well-being are important and personal. You should choose a doctor or other health care provider that you can work with, trust, and feel comfortable talking to.

On your first visit to a new provider, remember to bring your insurance card, photo ID, and your copay if you have one. It’s also important to show up early for your appointment!

This first visit will help your provider understand your health and lifestyle so you can work together to make improvements.

When you make your appointment, it’s important that you have your insurance card or other documentation available, in case you’re asked to provide insurance information.

Choosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care. We can help you find the right one.

Remember, you’re looking for a provider you can trust and work with to improve your health and well-being, so take time to think about what you need. Depending on how complicated your health care needs are, you may need to see more than one type of provider.

It’s important that you know where to go for medical care when you need it. There are some big differences between visits to your primary care provider and visits to the emergency room, such as cost, time spent waiting for care, and follow up.

Getting regular medical care: Primary care providers work with you to ensure that you get the right preventive services, manage your chronic conditions, and improve your health. Before you go to the doctor’s office, clinic, or health center, visit your health plan’s website and check their provider directory online. You can also call your insurer directly with questions or call a provider to see if they accept your health plan.

Health coverage pays for provider services, medications, hospital care, and special equipment when you’re sick. It’s also important when you’re not sick. Marketplace coverage includes preventive health services like immunizations for children and adults, annual doctor visits for women and seniors, screening and counseling for people of all ages, and more. The best news – it’s free.

While Marketplace health coverage is important, there’s no substitute for living a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy increases the chances you’ll be there for your family and friends for many years to come. Use your Marketplace health coverage when you are sick and when you are well, to help you live a long and healthy life.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who recently obtained health coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace^®, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP), From Coverage to Care materials can help answer questions you might have so you can make the most of your health coverage. Resources are available at marketplace.cms.gov/c2c. Some of the topics covered include: